Francois Pinault is a famous French businessman. He is also among the wealthiest individuals in the world. He is probably better known as the father of Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering. However, Francois Pinault has his own grand story.
Quick Facts About Francois Pinault
| Full Name | François Pinault |
| Birthdate | August 21, 1936 |
| Age
Height |
88 years and 10 months old
1.78 m |
| Occupation | Businessman, Art Collector |
| Husband/Wife | Louise Gautier (ex-wife), Maryvonne Campbell (current wife) |
| Education | Left school at age 16 |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Grandchildren | Valentina Paloma Pinault, Mathilde Pinault, Nicolas Tronson, Augustin James, François Pinault |
| Children | François-Henri Pinault, Laurence Pinault, Dominique Pinault |
| Net Worth | Approx. $40 billion (as of 2025) |
Early Life
Francois Pinault was born on 21 August 1936 in Champs-Géraux, a tiny village in France. His family owned a timber business. They were not wealthy. Francois dropped out of school when he was merely 16 years old. He assisted the family business. Afterwards, he also worked for the French army.
Starting His Business
In 1963, Francois began working for himself. He began his own business, which he named Société Pinault. Francois purchased and sold wood and construction materials. His efforts were rewarded. His business grew extremely quickly.
In the 1980s, he expanded into retail. Francois acquired retailers such as Conforama, Fnac, and Printemps. He founded Groupe Artémis, the family investment company, in 1992.
Move Into Luxury
In the 1990s, Francois Pinault did something big. He shifted from retail to luxury. In 1999, he acquired Gucci. This was not simple. He engaged in a legal struggle with Bernard Arnault, the head of LVMH. Nevertheless, Francois acquired the deal.
After that, he acquired other popular brands such as:
- Balenciaga
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Bottega Veneta
- Alexander McQueen
These businesses are now under Kering, which is among the leading luxury groups globally.
Art Collection
Francois Pinault is fond of art. He possesses one of the biggest private collections of art in the world. His collection consists of over 10,000 works by more than 400 artists.
He constructed venues to display the art to the public. They are:
- Palazzo Grassi (Venice)
- Punta della Dogana (Venice)
- Bourse de Commerce (Paris)
He believes in making art and culture available to all people.
Family Life
Francois Pinault married Louise Gautier. They had three children:
Subsequently, he wedded Maryvonne Campbell, an antique merchant. She assisted him in developing his passion for art.
In 1962, he was born his son, Francois-Henri. He graduated from HEC Paris, a prestigious business school. He joined the family business in 1987. He is now the CEO of Kering.
Francois-Henri is married to Salma Hayek, an actress. They have a child named Valentina Paloma Pinault, who was born in 2007.
Francois-Henri has three other children as well:
- Mathilde Pinault (born 2001)
- Francois Pinault Jr. (born 1998)
- Augustin James (born 2006)
READ ALSO: Francois Henri Pinault Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
His Legacy
Francois Pinault transformed a small wood business into an international luxury empire. He founded Groupe Artémis to expand family fortunes. He established Kering as a global fashion and style leader.
But he also gave. By art and culture, he opened doors to others. His museums welcome visitors from all over the world.
Although he transferred his company to his son, Francois remains a large part of family business and art.
